On the Monday after the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament there's always a haze... what just happened? Are we still in? How badly did the upsets burn my bracket?
Fifteen Fury-- Not one but two #15 seeds stole the tournament's heart Friday night... as Missouri and Duke (two of my "folds") went down. While the Blue Devils had been consistently uneven all winter (losing at home to Miami... winning at UNC), one has to be a little more disappointed in the Tigers' tumble. They won the Big 12 going away--I thought they had a shot at a #1-- but were rated the lowest of the #2's because of a soft schedule. I guess we now know why. Major props to the Patriot League and MEAC-- two one-bid leagues that are often cannon fodder the first days of the tournament-- for pushing Richmond '91 further into the background.
Sunday Night Hoops? What used to be a nice exclamation point to the weekend has been changed with Turner's addition to the menu. Instead of squeezing eight games into seven hours on Sunday-- they space them out. Which means we get three games spaced out until 6 (and if it's a rout-- watch out)... and then a flurry of late games on Sunday like a 9:40 Cincy-Florida State. How can I complain about my bracket when I still have to watch hoops? Can we compromise? Give us six games in seven hours and then two prime timers... 7 and 9:30. Please?
Alma Mater Update-- as an alum of a school that's dropped more than a few of these early games-- the Orange gave me plenty to be concerned about before weaseling by UNC-Asheville. They say in order to capture a National Title you have to win one game you obviously don't deserve-- and I think SU has found their "wow- we so escaped a major bullet here" game. Many point to the referees handing the Orange the game... and while this may have merits I would love to have these people listen to my SU buddy "Arkansas Charlie"-- for he believes there's this cabal created to hose the Orange out of every call. Time to move on. Thankfully it's to the regional in Boston.
Georgetown's year ended one step shy of the Sweet Sixteen... as a ten point first half lead turned into a loss to 11th seeded North Carolina State (who were once 7-3 in the ACC with a 20 point lead at Duke). After being picked to finish in the bottom half of the Big East, there's no shame in finishing 24-9 after losing to a Wolfpack team just hitting its stride-- but a rough way for seniors Jason Clark (3-11 FG and a last-second miss) and Henry Sims (fouling out with 4 points). And before you jump on the "Can JTIII win here longterm?" ... just remember other coaches have had longer runs of upsets (Lute Olson) and underachieving in the Big Dance before enjoying great success.
Maryland Womens' Window-- the Terrapins tangle with Louisville in a made for TV bracket: Jeff Walz used to be a Terp assistant and his Cardinals bounced Kristi Tolliver and Marissa Coleman in the Elite Eight three years ago. Adding to the sluggishness of Saturday's win there may be cause for concern. IF Alicia DeVaughn and Tianna Hawkins can stay out of foul trouble... and IF Maryland can manage its possessions effectively... we'll see a trip to Raleigh and the Sweet Sixteen.
Now to more important matters-- the 2012 Girl Scout Cookie Rankings. I have my usual supplier whose daughters are still okay with me signing the sheet "Bauer" with the address "CTU-Ballston". This year's field has been truncated to eight-- and thus no "first round".
8-- Savannah Smiles-- Or Dave frowns. This new addition is a crescent shaped lemon wedge cookie with lemon chips and dusted in powdered sugar. Goes great with tea. I'm sure my grandmother has 5 boxes. Even with Che Che rooting em on... feels like one of those schools from the Big South that plays well for a half-- and then loses by 20.
7-- Thank U Berry Much-- Or no thank you. Cranberries and white fudge chunks? Not to mention the bad pun and worse spelling. Feels like a mismatched roster of juco transfers who couldn't cut it at in other cookies' programs. You know there's an NCAA violation waiting to happen... and while this odd conglomeration gets you to the dance, it almost guarantees you an early exit.
6-- Dulce De Leche-- This Latin caramel cookie used to have a caramel topping. Sign me up! Sadly, it was removed because of the high amount of trans fat. Sign me off! Sounds like an eligibility issue-- and unlike the Orange, Dulce doesn't have the depth. But it does offer a great zone defense.
5-- Trefoils-- Naismith would be proud. A traditional shortbread cookie made in the shape of the Girl Scout emblem. Break out the peach baskets. Feels like Gene Hackman should be coaching them with Dennis Hopper in the wings. Fundamentally sound cookie but plays the entire game well below the rim. Hey, Loyola of Chicago once won a title in the 60's too.
4-- Do-Si-Dos-- Peanut Butter Paranoia? Crunchy oatmeal cookie with peanut butter filling. Power in the post. I'm looking for Michael Graham to come out and punch the other cookies in the mouth. A decent cookie... but prone to foul trouble (especially with those ACC refs).
3-- Samoas-- tough call for the top three. The motion offense of cookies is vanilla but coated with caramel, sprinkled with toasted coconut and laced with chocolate stripes. So much style and substance and subtext and pretext-- the perfect halfcourt treat. But can it run and keep up with the others? Having put each of these through the "test"-- it's a challenge to knock down 5+ Samoas in a sitting. Not impossible, but still a challenge.
2-- Thin Mints-- we're talking UNLV 1990. Nobody runs like the this thin, mint-flavored chocolate wafer dipped in chocolate coating. Often goes on scoring/wolfing down runs of 10-15 without any effort. But can TM play the halfcourt game? If slowed down to a manageable pace I see problems rebounding the flavor... over-aggressiveness resulting in easy crumbs instead of steals... and the propensity to force a shot when it isn't wise. I dare you to try to eat one and not a second for 15 minutes.
1-- Tagalongs-- it's all about matchups. Crispy vanilla cookie layered with peanut butter and covered with a chocolate coating-- this team can play halfcourt yet run to some degree. One can play inside out (scooping the peanut butter out with your teeth) or just attack the rim. In the fridge or room temperature this option provides more than one shining moment.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Beltway Basketball Bonanza-- Fold, Bold and Gold Picks...
Time for the best two days of the year: 32 games Thursday and Friday providing plenty of thrills, chills and spills. Even the idiocy of the NCAA can't ruin something this good.
I know the tournament technically began Tuesday... but does anybody REALLY buy into the "First Four/First Round/Play-In Games/Dog and Pony Show"? On TruTV? If CBS doesn't pre-empt programming... I can't acknowledge these games as anything other than an appendix. You know those pages before the title page in the book with lowercase Roman numerals? That's the last two nights for me. Bad basketball by middling teams in Dayton.
Alma Mater Update-- the Orange will be minus center Fab Melo for the tournament due to academic eligibility issues. Decidedly not awesome. Definitely going to need extra bleu cheese dressing with those wings at Sign of the Whale.
Time for the annual "Bold" (which double digit seed makes a run?)... "Fold" (which high seed underperforms?) and "Gold" (who advances to the Final Four?) picks... done just under the wire to be eligible.
EAST-- while the Harvard "student athletes who are really students first" angle won't be overplayed at all... I was hoping Jim Nantz would get the Crimson's game with Vanderbilt so he could wax endlessly about how these kids represent the true spirit of college hoops (had to step away to throw up). BOLD-- West Virginia has played everybody tough this winter... and what a better way to go off to the Big 12 with a couple of upsets? FOLD-- Syracuse has dealt with more than a few off the court issues this winter... from Bernie Fine to drug tests to two suspensions for their center. Kansas State will be a tough round of 32 matchup-- and even if they get to Boston-- I don't see them getting to New Orleans (sadly). GOLD-- Ohio State has been bouncing around the top ten all season. Thad Matta's got this bunch focused.
SOUTH-- it's Kentucky's bracket to lose. And until last year, John Calipari's teams had never overperformed their seed. They're better and more experienced this year. John Chaney- we need your help! BOLD-- VCU was the ultimate Cinderella last season... could Shaka Smart be starring in Cinderella II- Electric Boogaloo? Ram on. FOLD-- Duke looks like after a great early season run it's beginning to hit the wall. Notre Dame plays an ugly style of ball that features scores in the 40's and players who looked like they took Brenda Walsh to the Senior Prom. GOLD-- Kentucky could win the first two games with their backups... and although I'd like to see Baylor get it done-- it's a Wildcat world.
MIDWEST-- this region draws not one... but two teams from the First Four. Thank you Cal-- for taking the game back 50 years by scoring 13 points in the first half against South Florida. BOLD-- South Florida can simply play great defense. They're the overlooked red haired stepchild of the Big East... and Augustus Gilchrist will produce in a way he didn't for Virginia Tech or Maryland. FOLD-- Kansas has a habit of getting bounced early... and whether it's Purdue or St. Mary's in the round of 32... the Jayhawks will be looking ahead to St. Louis.
GOLD-- North Carolina is the most talented team... as well as the most frustrating. They can easily be bounced if they don't bring it for 40 minutes... but you can't imagine them not reaching New Orleans.
WEST-- woe is the sad state of college hoops beyond the Rockies. The Pac-12 is so bad that regular season champ Washington didn't get an at-large berth. Football realignment has turned the Mountain West and WAC into scrambled eggs... and not in a good way. BOLD-- Davidson is next to Belmont and VCU the bandwagon underdog of the tournament. Can you be overrated in an underrated way? They're facing a Louisville team that's underperformed recently in the tournament and is fresh off four games in four days at the Big East Tournament. Plus Pitino wears those white suits. FOLD-- Missouri played one of the softer schedules this winter... and although they cruised to a Big 12 Tournament title one always wonders when the other shoe will drop. Florida is much better than their seed-- and will be a big problem for the Tigers. GOLD-- Michigan State under Tom Izzo almost always overperforms its seed. It's tough to see the Spartans not doing so again this March.
I know the tournament technically began Tuesday... but does anybody REALLY buy into the "First Four/First Round/Play-In Games/Dog and Pony Show"? On TruTV? If CBS doesn't pre-empt programming... I can't acknowledge these games as anything other than an appendix. You know those pages before the title page in the book with lowercase Roman numerals? That's the last two nights for me. Bad basketball by middling teams in Dayton.
Alma Mater Update-- the Orange will be minus center Fab Melo for the tournament due to academic eligibility issues. Decidedly not awesome. Definitely going to need extra bleu cheese dressing with those wings at Sign of the Whale.
Time for the annual "Bold" (which double digit seed makes a run?)... "Fold" (which high seed underperforms?) and "Gold" (who advances to the Final Four?) picks... done just under the wire to be eligible.
EAST-- while the Harvard "student athletes who are really students first" angle won't be overplayed at all... I was hoping Jim Nantz would get the Crimson's game with Vanderbilt so he could wax endlessly about how these kids represent the true spirit of college hoops (had to step away to throw up). BOLD-- West Virginia has played everybody tough this winter... and what a better way to go off to the Big 12 with a couple of upsets? FOLD-- Syracuse has dealt with more than a few off the court issues this winter... from Bernie Fine to drug tests to two suspensions for their center. Kansas State will be a tough round of 32 matchup-- and even if they get to Boston-- I don't see them getting to New Orleans (sadly). GOLD-- Ohio State has been bouncing around the top ten all season. Thad Matta's got this bunch focused.
SOUTH-- it's Kentucky's bracket to lose. And until last year, John Calipari's teams had never overperformed their seed. They're better and more experienced this year. John Chaney- we need your help! BOLD-- VCU was the ultimate Cinderella last season... could Shaka Smart be starring in Cinderella II- Electric Boogaloo? Ram on. FOLD-- Duke looks like after a great early season run it's beginning to hit the wall. Notre Dame plays an ugly style of ball that features scores in the 40's and players who looked like they took Brenda Walsh to the Senior Prom. GOLD-- Kentucky could win the first two games with their backups... and although I'd like to see Baylor get it done-- it's a Wildcat world.
MIDWEST-- this region draws not one... but two teams from the First Four. Thank you Cal-- for taking the game back 50 years by scoring 13 points in the first half against South Florida. BOLD-- South Florida can simply play great defense. They're the overlooked red haired stepchild of the Big East... and Augustus Gilchrist will produce in a way he didn't for Virginia Tech or Maryland. FOLD-- Kansas has a habit of getting bounced early... and whether it's Purdue or St. Mary's in the round of 32... the Jayhawks will be looking ahead to St. Louis.
GOLD-- North Carolina is the most talented team... as well as the most frustrating. They can easily be bounced if they don't bring it for 40 minutes... but you can't imagine them not reaching New Orleans.
WEST-- woe is the sad state of college hoops beyond the Rockies. The Pac-12 is so bad that regular season champ Washington didn't get an at-large berth. Football realignment has turned the Mountain West and WAC into scrambled eggs... and not in a good way. BOLD-- Davidson is next to Belmont and VCU the bandwagon underdog of the tournament. Can you be overrated in an underrated way? They're facing a Louisville team that's underperformed recently in the tournament and is fresh off four games in four days at the Big East Tournament. Plus Pitino wears those white suits. FOLD-- Missouri played one of the softer schedules this winter... and although they cruised to a Big 12 Tournament title one always wonders when the other shoe will drop. Florida is much better than their seed-- and will be a big problem for the Tigers. GOLD-- Michigan State under Tom Izzo almost always overperforms its seed. It's tough to see the Spartans not doing so again this March.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Redskins Rehash-- an Offseason Dynasty...
Once again, the Skins shine as the NFL equivalent of Dave Winfield: instead of being "Mister May"... the Burgundy and Gold are the "Men of March". One franchise-changing trade... the customary free agent signings and a slap from the league. Once again, the most entertaining team is far from giving up that crown.
RGIII or RG3? I almost prefer the latter if the 3 is used as a "cubed". The Redskins give up three first round picks plus this year's second round selection (39th overall) for St. Louis' second overall pick in next month's draft. Thank goodness Vinny Cerrato's no longer with the team... because otherwise the Skins may not have had those picks to swap. Was it a smart deal? Nothing occurs in a vacuum-- and while giving up four prime picks for a player who might not work out (other #2's include Rick Mirer and Ryan Leaf) may not be the best thing to do... the current regime needs a quarterback. With moves for Donovan McNabb and Rex Grossman backfiring and John Beck's emergence never firing at all... Year three of the Shanahan administration needs at least a quarterback to build around. At worst-- he's an abject disaster and we go through this again in a few years. By which time the Shanahans will be in our rearview mirror.
Wide Receiver Windfall-- Nothing excites more than flashy wideouts who stretch the field and make tightrope catches. Except when they're Brandon Lloyd and Antwan Randle-El. Six years after doubling down on Brandon & Antwan... the Skins dive into the Free Agent pool headfirst by signing Pierre Garcon away from Indianapolis and Josh Morgan away from San Francisco. Garcon's coming off a 70 catch, 947 yard season for a quarterbackless Colts team... and Morgan's receptions dropped from 44 to 15 in Jim Harbaugh's first season by the Bay. Will they be difference makers? Maybe Eddie Royal becomes that player-- if he signs (word is the Skins are in hot pursuit). Unfortunately the Virginia Tech product is also coming off an off year... and has yet to average over 11 yards per catch during his NFL career. And do we need another Hokie (Morgan went to VT as well) on the roster? BEAMER BALL! indeed.
Capped Out-- This spending comes in the wake of major spanking by the league. Evidently when the Skins front office was trying to slide the contracts of Albert Haynesworth and DeAngelo Hall past the NFL Cap Dieticians two years ago they were warned that there may be ramifications-- and lo and behold there are: 36 million dollars in capsmack over two years... 18 of which hits the Skins books this year. On the bright side, this will limit the ridiculous ways this team can embarrass itself this offseason. I think.
RGIII or RG3? I almost prefer the latter if the 3 is used as a "cubed". The Redskins give up three first round picks plus this year's second round selection (39th overall) for St. Louis' second overall pick in next month's draft. Thank goodness Vinny Cerrato's no longer with the team... because otherwise the Skins may not have had those picks to swap. Was it a smart deal? Nothing occurs in a vacuum-- and while giving up four prime picks for a player who might not work out (other #2's include Rick Mirer and Ryan Leaf) may not be the best thing to do... the current regime needs a quarterback. With moves for Donovan McNabb and Rex Grossman backfiring and John Beck's emergence never firing at all... Year three of the Shanahan administration needs at least a quarterback to build around. At worst-- he's an abject disaster and we go through this again in a few years. By which time the Shanahans will be in our rearview mirror.
Wide Receiver Windfall-- Nothing excites more than flashy wideouts who stretch the field and make tightrope catches. Except when they're Brandon Lloyd and Antwan Randle-El. Six years after doubling down on Brandon & Antwan... the Skins dive into the Free Agent pool headfirst by signing Pierre Garcon away from Indianapolis and Josh Morgan away from San Francisco. Garcon's coming off a 70 catch, 947 yard season for a quarterbackless Colts team... and Morgan's receptions dropped from 44 to 15 in Jim Harbaugh's first season by the Bay. Will they be difference makers? Maybe Eddie Royal becomes that player-- if he signs (word is the Skins are in hot pursuit). Unfortunately the Virginia Tech product is also coming off an off year... and has yet to average over 11 yards per catch during his NFL career. And do we need another Hokie (Morgan went to VT as well) on the roster? BEAMER BALL! indeed.
Capped Out-- This spending comes in the wake of major spanking by the league. Evidently when the Skins front office was trying to slide the contracts of Albert Haynesworth and DeAngelo Hall past the NFL Cap Dieticians two years ago they were warned that there may be ramifications-- and lo and behold there are: 36 million dollars in capsmack over two years... 18 of which hits the Skins books this year. On the bright side, this will limit the ridiculous ways this team can embarrass itself this offseason. I think.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Beltway Basketball Bonanza-- of Brackets and Burials...
Selection Sunday-- there's no other day like it in the world of sports. College basketball's field of 68 is announced with plenty at play: Are you in? What seed? What's the draw? And what's the road to the Final Four? Each question is as critical as the previous one...as matchups take precedence over actual talent in March.
Georgetown-- the Hoyas are figured as a #4 seed by the Washington Post and CBS Sportsline... and a #3 by ESPN. Despite a disappointing finish against Cincinnati in the Big East Quarterfinals... coach John Thompson III's team has displayed a defense that's been downright dominating at times. The question is, where will they be shipped to?
Alma Mater Update-- the bubble (well, not THE BUBBLE, but a bubble nonetheless) burst Friday night in the Big East Semifinals against Cincinnati as the Orange fell behind 28-15 before making a game of it... slipping 71-68. On the road to 31 wins SU has had more than its share of nailbiters-- six of their last eleven games have been decided by three points or less. I'd rather have that now than next weekend. The Orange should get a #1 seed in the East bracket-- with a first round trip to Pittsburgh.
End of season ACCounting-- Maryland saw its stay in Atlanta end with an 85-69 loss to North Carolina. The 17-15 finish about the best one could hope for...given the injuries... Defections and ineligibilities. A five player class is expected to make a major impact next season-- and another year to get used to coach Mark Turgeon's system. Virginia (22-9) awaits the Selection Committee's decision on where they'll be seeded... Various websites have the Cavaliers anywhere from a #9 to an 11. What amazed me this week is how long the Cavaliers have gone without reaching the ACC Semifinals-- they're last trip to Saturday came in 1995. Everybody- even the expansion schools, even Clemson (?)- has reached an ACC semi since. Virginia Tech (16-17) ended the season pretty much the way they began conference play-- losing a tough one to a luckier team. Against conference competition the Hokies finish 4-10 in games decided by five points or less. Nice to see Florida State break Duke and North Carolina's stranglehold on the conference tournament.
George Mason and American wrap up successful seasons by losing in their conference semifinals. The Patriots (24-9) seemingly peaked the night they beat VCU by one at home... as coach Paul Hewitt's team dropped three of their last five games-- including a pair to the Rams. Coach Shaka Smart's team is ticketed back to the big dance--instead of as one of the last four in, VCU goes as CAA champ to a likely 11th or 12th seed. AU (20-11) couldn't contain Patriot league MVP CJ McCollum (27 points and 10 rebounds) in an 85-66 loss at eventual champ Lehigh. Both schools are bubble NIT teams... although either would be a good fit one of the other postseason affairs.
George Washington and Howard wrapped up 10-win seasons looking forward to the future. While the Colonials finished the year on a 2-10 skid, the Bison won 6 of their final 10 games.
The Maryland women's basketball team wrapped up its first ACC Tournament title since 2009 by beating Georgia Tech in 68-65 in the finals. The Terps benefited from a busted bracket-- as top seed Duke and #2 Miami both fell in the quarterfinals. But a window of opportunity is only a window-- you have to jump through. Now coach Brenda Frese's team is a borderline 1/2 seed...can they leapfrog Notre Dame after the Fighting Irish fell in the Big East Tournament?
The Clock Ticks-- An era doesn't end but it's definitely winding down. Syracuse's days in the Big East are numbered... and one wonders where the best league in the 1980's went wrong. For a conference that did things so right for so long--I have a few pivot points...:
1-- Not admitting Penn State. Undercut the league from a football standpoint... as the Nittany Lions would abandon longstanding rivalries with Pitt and Syracuse for... Minnesota? I think they play Michigan State every fall for the "Land Grant Trophy". Bad deal for everybody, as the Big East could have used PSU's stability and reputation (the last year notwithstanding).
2-- Going to the experimental "six foul" rule in 1990. Ruined the rhythm of an already physical league-- switching back to five fouls was awkward at best and disastrous at worst. Final Fours in the 80's: eight. Final Fours in the 90's: two.
3-- Allowing Notre Dame as a "partial member"... aka sharing everything but football-- not only did it give the league the oh so divisible 13 team membership (NOT UNWIELDY AT ALL!), it created a second tier feel: how can you be considered an equal on the big stage when it's obvious you're not in the eyes of one of your own members?
4-- Not convincing Chaney-- Temple would have been a great boost basketball wise... and would have provided the league with a football team in the Philly market (yeah, Villanova-- thanks for participating). But for whatever reason they couldn't get John Chaney and his hoops program in the league... and wound up with another "partial member". We know how that works.
5-- Losing brand identity-- Say what you will about the ACC being Duke and UNC's private little lake... but at least the league recognizes the pecking order and has the Blue Devils wrap up the regular season with the Tar Heels. Syracuse-Georgetown? The two schools met just once this winter... and the two haven't wrapped up the regular season like they did in the 80's for some time.
6-- Losing the East... and the Big-- to maintain its membership after being robbed of arguably its three strongest football programs by the ACC... the Big East had to get creative on what "East" meant. Hello, Louisville and Cincinnati. The league figured, why stop there? Hiya, DePaul and Marquette. Sixteen schools! So easy to keep the rivarlies alive with just three home-and-homes for each school. Now with Pitt and Syracuse departing for the ACC... the red carpet is out for San Diego State and Boise State. So like a Holy Roman Empire that was neither Holy, Roman nor an Empire...the Big East Conference is no longer Big, East or a Conference.
It first upset me when I learned my alma mater would be leaving a league I loved. But when viewing what's left of what was absolutely awesome-- departing is the best decision. Thanks for the memories, BIG EAST. I'll always think of you fondly and cherish the next twelve months.
Georgetown-- the Hoyas are figured as a #4 seed by the Washington Post and CBS Sportsline... and a #3 by ESPN. Despite a disappointing finish against Cincinnati in the Big East Quarterfinals... coach John Thompson III's team has displayed a defense that's been downright dominating at times. The question is, where will they be shipped to?
Alma Mater Update-- the bubble (well, not THE BUBBLE, but a bubble nonetheless) burst Friday night in the Big East Semifinals against Cincinnati as the Orange fell behind 28-15 before making a game of it... slipping 71-68. On the road to 31 wins SU has had more than its share of nailbiters-- six of their last eleven games have been decided by three points or less. I'd rather have that now than next weekend. The Orange should get a #1 seed in the East bracket-- with a first round trip to Pittsburgh.
End of season ACCounting-- Maryland saw its stay in Atlanta end with an 85-69 loss to North Carolina. The 17-15 finish about the best one could hope for...given the injuries... Defections and ineligibilities. A five player class is expected to make a major impact next season-- and another year to get used to coach Mark Turgeon's system. Virginia (22-9) awaits the Selection Committee's decision on where they'll be seeded... Various websites have the Cavaliers anywhere from a #9 to an 11. What amazed me this week is how long the Cavaliers have gone without reaching the ACC Semifinals-- they're last trip to Saturday came in 1995. Everybody- even the expansion schools, even Clemson (?)- has reached an ACC semi since. Virginia Tech (16-17) ended the season pretty much the way they began conference play-- losing a tough one to a luckier team. Against conference competition the Hokies finish 4-10 in games decided by five points or less. Nice to see Florida State break Duke and North Carolina's stranglehold on the conference tournament.
George Mason and American wrap up successful seasons by losing in their conference semifinals. The Patriots (24-9) seemingly peaked the night they beat VCU by one at home... as coach Paul Hewitt's team dropped three of their last five games-- including a pair to the Rams. Coach Shaka Smart's team is ticketed back to the big dance--instead of as one of the last four in, VCU goes as CAA champ to a likely 11th or 12th seed. AU (20-11) couldn't contain Patriot league MVP CJ McCollum (27 points and 10 rebounds) in an 85-66 loss at eventual champ Lehigh. Both schools are bubble NIT teams... although either would be a good fit one of the other postseason affairs.
George Washington and Howard wrapped up 10-win seasons looking forward to the future. While the Colonials finished the year on a 2-10 skid, the Bison won 6 of their final 10 games.
The Maryland women's basketball team wrapped up its first ACC Tournament title since 2009 by beating Georgia Tech in 68-65 in the finals. The Terps benefited from a busted bracket-- as top seed Duke and #2 Miami both fell in the quarterfinals. But a window of opportunity is only a window-- you have to jump through. Now coach Brenda Frese's team is a borderline 1/2 seed...can they leapfrog Notre Dame after the Fighting Irish fell in the Big East Tournament?
The Clock Ticks-- An era doesn't end but it's definitely winding down. Syracuse's days in the Big East are numbered... and one wonders where the best league in the 1980's went wrong. For a conference that did things so right for so long--I have a few pivot points...:
1-- Not admitting Penn State. Undercut the league from a football standpoint... as the Nittany Lions would abandon longstanding rivalries with Pitt and Syracuse for... Minnesota? I think they play Michigan State every fall for the "Land Grant Trophy". Bad deal for everybody, as the Big East could have used PSU's stability and reputation (the last year notwithstanding).
2-- Going to the experimental "six foul" rule in 1990. Ruined the rhythm of an already physical league-- switching back to five fouls was awkward at best and disastrous at worst. Final Fours in the 80's: eight. Final Fours in the 90's: two.
3-- Allowing Notre Dame as a "partial member"... aka sharing everything but football-- not only did it give the league the oh so divisible 13 team membership (NOT UNWIELDY AT ALL!), it created a second tier feel: how can you be considered an equal on the big stage when it's obvious you're not in the eyes of one of your own members?
4-- Not convincing Chaney-- Temple would have been a great boost basketball wise... and would have provided the league with a football team in the Philly market (yeah, Villanova-- thanks for participating). But for whatever reason they couldn't get John Chaney and his hoops program in the league... and wound up with another "partial member". We know how that works.
5-- Losing brand identity-- Say what you will about the ACC being Duke and UNC's private little lake... but at least the league recognizes the pecking order and has the Blue Devils wrap up the regular season with the Tar Heels. Syracuse-Georgetown? The two schools met just once this winter... and the two haven't wrapped up the regular season like they did in the 80's for some time.
6-- Losing the East... and the Big-- to maintain its membership after being robbed of arguably its three strongest football programs by the ACC... the Big East had to get creative on what "East" meant. Hello, Louisville and Cincinnati. The league figured, why stop there? Hiya, DePaul and Marquette. Sixteen schools! So easy to keep the rivarlies alive with just three home-and-homes for each school. Now with Pitt and Syracuse departing for the ACC... the red carpet is out for San Diego State and Boise State. So like a Holy Roman Empire that was neither Holy, Roman nor an Empire...the Big East Conference is no longer Big, East or a Conference.
It first upset me when I learned my alma mater would be leaving a league I loved. But when viewing what's left of what was absolutely awesome-- departing is the best decision. Thanks for the memories, BIG EAST. I'll always think of you fondly and cherish the next twelve months.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Beltway Basketball Bonanza-- Believing Daydreams...
Cheer up, bubble teams...oh what a conference tournament run can mean. February frenzy gives way to March Madness... and for at least the next week or so everybody (with the exception of the Ivy League and early tournament castoffs) has a shot at getting into the field of 68. Having a shot and actually getting there are two different things- but what's the point, otherwise? Monkees fans-- head to the bottom of the page.
Georgetown (22-6, 12-5) can take over second place in the Big East with a victory over #8 Marquette... a team they beat 73-70 January 4th. In a league where #2 Syracuse, streaking Notre Dame and slumping UConn have monopolized the headlines-- the Hoyas have quietly carved out a campaign with no losing streaks... and a defense that's held four opponents in the 40's during February.
Alma Mater Update-- final day of the regular season means Syracuse-Georgetown, right? Maybe SU-UConn? No- it's a home game against longstanding bitter rival Louisville. Rick Pitino's white suits aside-- this is why it's not a horrible thing the Orange are leaving for the ACC. The Big East that remains is not the fantastic league that was ridiculously awesome in the '80s... especially with San Diego State and Memphis on the horizon (not in the Horizon, though-- that's Butler's league).
Maryland (16-13, 6-9) wraps up its regular season with a Sunday showdown against Virginia. The Terrapins are assured of 8th place in the ACC... and gets either Wake Forest, Virginia Tech or Boston College as a first round matchup. They played well in spurts against North Carolina-- but unfortunately the talent gap showed over the Tar Heels 31-10 second half run.
Cruising the Commonwealth-- the Cardiac Cavaliers and the Heartbreak Hokies continue to provide thrills and chills-- but mostly spills. Virginia's 63-60 come from ahead loss to Florida State was the team's 5th ACC loss by three points or less. But my UVa faithful Kippy and Buffy can't hold a candle to their VT counterparts Ray and Louann -- Virginia Tech's 58-56 loss at Clemson was the Hokies 13th ACC game decided by five points or less.
George Mason (23-8, 14-4) begins CAA Tournament play against 21-10 Georgia State... needing to at least reach the finals to have any at-large hope...and even then it's tough to like their chances on the bubble. This is where the Northeastern loss hurts.
George Washington (10-19, 5-10) clinched a spot in the Atlantic Ten Tournament when Rhode Island beat Fordham. Sadly a second half rally against La Salle came up short... GW missing 8 of 16 free throws in a 60-56 loss on Senior Night. David Pellom's fourth straight double double (16 points, 11 rebounds) was the bright spot... they'll need Pellom to produce if they want to surprise anybody in the A-10.
Maryland Womens' Window-- sophomore Alyssa Thomas becomes the third Terp in five years to capture ACC Player of the Year honors (Crystal Langhorne-2008, Kristy Tolliver-2009). An upset-ridden quarterfinal round saw the Terps emerge as the highest remaining seed (regular season champ Duke lost to NC State while #2 Miami fell to Wake Forest) in Greensboro. A ridiculously large window is now open.
American (20-10, 10-4) shut down Army 57-40 in the Patriot League quarterfinals... and now visits Lehigh in the semis. The Mountain Hawks (still miss the old nickname "Engineers") boast the league's leading scorer in C.J. McCollum. Each team scored 71 points while winning on its home floor. Can AU get a big effort from Charles Hinkle? The senior is on a 12 for 35 shooting slump... and after scoring in single figures just twice in the first 27 games of the season has posted two single digit efforts in the last ten days.
Howard (9-20, 6-10) finishes 10th in the MEAC... and plays North Carolina A&T in the first round of the tournament. The Bison hosted the Aggies January 14th-- losing 70-65 while shooting 29% from three point range.
Davy, we hardly knew ye-- my parents purchased me The Monkees Greatest Hits for my 7th birthday. The summer before, I was glued to Channel 56 in Boston's daily broadcasts of the pre-fab four. And to be honest-- I didn't like Davy Jones at first. Always cute, always smiling, and always getting the girl. And he didn't even play an instrument! Tamborine, maracas-- those were things from my first grade music class. I'm surprised he didn't play the recorder or xylophone as well. Granted, at age 6 I didn't know they didn't play instruments on their first two albums-- but still... maracas?
The Monkees were a TV show about a group that eventually became a group. Four guys from completely different backgrounds: Davy was stage and showtunes... Micky was California pop... Mike (wool hat and all) was Texas country... and Peter was Greenwich Village folk. That they eventually imploded when left to their own devices isn't a surprise: but the fact that they were able to generate two solid albums (Headquarters plus Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones, Ltd.) and memorable singles is a credit to their often debated talents. The diminutive Monkee will be missed.
An interesting sidestory to the late Mr. Jones-- he had a front row seat to the world he would then wander into: while part of the traveling Oliver! cast (as the Artful Dodger) Jones found himself on the Ed Sullivan Show February 9, 1964. After singing "Consider Yourself" he wound up watching four lads from Liverpool make history. Only to one day be on the TV show inspired by the Beatles. RIP Davy-- wherever you are... you're still probably getting the girl. Damn cheeky smile.
Georgetown (22-6, 12-5) can take over second place in the Big East with a victory over #8 Marquette... a team they beat 73-70 January 4th. In a league where #2 Syracuse, streaking Notre Dame and slumping UConn have monopolized the headlines-- the Hoyas have quietly carved out a campaign with no losing streaks... and a defense that's held four opponents in the 40's during February.
Alma Mater Update-- final day of the regular season means Syracuse-Georgetown, right? Maybe SU-UConn? No- it's a home game against longstanding bitter rival Louisville. Rick Pitino's white suits aside-- this is why it's not a horrible thing the Orange are leaving for the ACC. The Big East that remains is not the fantastic league that was ridiculously awesome in the '80s... especially with San Diego State and Memphis on the horizon (not in the Horizon, though-- that's Butler's league).
Maryland (16-13, 6-9) wraps up its regular season with a Sunday showdown against Virginia. The Terrapins are assured of 8th place in the ACC... and gets either Wake Forest, Virginia Tech or Boston College as a first round matchup. They played well in spurts against North Carolina-- but unfortunately the talent gap showed over the Tar Heels 31-10 second half run.
Cruising the Commonwealth-- the Cardiac Cavaliers and the Heartbreak Hokies continue to provide thrills and chills-- but mostly spills. Virginia's 63-60 come from ahead loss to Florida State was the team's 5th ACC loss by three points or less. But my UVa faithful Kippy and Buffy can't hold a candle to their VT counterparts Ray and Louann -- Virginia Tech's 58-56 loss at Clemson was the Hokies 13th ACC game decided by five points or less.
George Mason (23-8, 14-4) begins CAA Tournament play against 21-10 Georgia State... needing to at least reach the finals to have any at-large hope...and even then it's tough to like their chances on the bubble. This is where the Northeastern loss hurts.
George Washington (10-19, 5-10) clinched a spot in the Atlantic Ten Tournament when Rhode Island beat Fordham. Sadly a second half rally against La Salle came up short... GW missing 8 of 16 free throws in a 60-56 loss on Senior Night. David Pellom's fourth straight double double (16 points, 11 rebounds) was the bright spot... they'll need Pellom to produce if they want to surprise anybody in the A-10.
Maryland Womens' Window-- sophomore Alyssa Thomas becomes the third Terp in five years to capture ACC Player of the Year honors (Crystal Langhorne-2008, Kristy Tolliver-2009). An upset-ridden quarterfinal round saw the Terps emerge as the highest remaining seed (regular season champ Duke lost to NC State while #2 Miami fell to Wake Forest) in Greensboro. A ridiculously large window is now open.
American (20-10, 10-4) shut down Army 57-40 in the Patriot League quarterfinals... and now visits Lehigh in the semis. The Mountain Hawks (still miss the old nickname "Engineers") boast the league's leading scorer in C.J. McCollum. Each team scored 71 points while winning on its home floor. Can AU get a big effort from Charles Hinkle? The senior is on a 12 for 35 shooting slump... and after scoring in single figures just twice in the first 27 games of the season has posted two single digit efforts in the last ten days.
Howard (9-20, 6-10) finishes 10th in the MEAC... and plays North Carolina A&T in the first round of the tournament. The Bison hosted the Aggies January 14th-- losing 70-65 while shooting 29% from three point range.
Davy, we hardly knew ye-- my parents purchased me The Monkees Greatest Hits for my 7th birthday. The summer before, I was glued to Channel 56 in Boston's daily broadcasts of the pre-fab four. And to be honest-- I didn't like Davy Jones at first. Always cute, always smiling, and always getting the girl. And he didn't even play an instrument! Tamborine, maracas-- those were things from my first grade music class. I'm surprised he didn't play the recorder or xylophone as well. Granted, at age 6 I didn't know they didn't play instruments on their first two albums-- but still... maracas?
The Monkees were a TV show about a group that eventually became a group. Four guys from completely different backgrounds: Davy was stage and showtunes... Micky was California pop... Mike (wool hat and all) was Texas country... and Peter was Greenwich Village folk. That they eventually imploded when left to their own devices isn't a surprise: but the fact that they were able to generate two solid albums (Headquarters plus Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones, Ltd.) and memorable singles is a credit to their often debated talents. The diminutive Monkee will be missed.
An interesting sidestory to the late Mr. Jones-- he had a front row seat to the world he would then wander into: while part of the traveling Oliver! cast (as the Artful Dodger) Jones found himself on the Ed Sullivan Show February 9, 1964. After singing "Consider Yourself" he wound up watching four lads from Liverpool make history. Only to one day be on the TV show inspired by the Beatles. RIP Davy-- wherever you are... you're still probably getting the girl. Damn cheeky smile.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Beltway Basketball Bonanza-- Meet the New Boss...
The ACC for better or worse has always revolved around tobacco road. The Tournament never even thought about leaving the state until the mid-70's... and from the conference's inception it was all about North Carolina, Duke and NC State. There was "one brief shining moment" when it appeared as if anybody could win-- from 1984 to 96 six schools won postseason tournaments and even Clemson was able to win the regular season title once. But since 1997 a Blue Curtain has fallen over the ACC-- even sending Wake Forest and NC State back to business class. Duke and North Carolina have won 14 of the last 15 ACC Tournaments (Maryland 2004 the exception) and one of the two schools has had the top seed every year since 2003 (thank you Wake Forest). This year it appeared as though Florida State might make its way to the grownups' table with victories in Chapel Hill and at Cameron-- but back to back losses have the Seminoles safely in the second-tier. Miami won in Durham only to fall in College Park the same month. NC State was once 7-3 in the league and had a 20 point lead at Duke-- before a four game losing streak punctuated by a loss to Clemson. Virginia and Virginia Tech came oh-so-close to beating North Carolina and Duke last Saturday-- only to remind us that close isn't an operative word come March. Pax Duke-Heel-ica.
#11 Georgetown (22-6, 12-5) solidified its status as a #3 seed in both CBS and ESPN's bracket models... although a loss at #8 Marquette plus a quick exit from the Big East Tournament may pull them back one line. The Hoyas' 59-41 thumping of Notre Dame was the team's sixth Big East win where they held their opponent in the 40's... and Coach John Thompson III's team also held Rutgers to 50. If they can keep the defensive intensity... this is a team that will be very dangerous in the coming weeks. Likely Big East Seed: after a loss at Marquette and a Notre Dame victory over Providence... the Hoyas are a #4... with potential quarterfinal opponents ranging from South Florida to Louisville-- or if there's an upset; Rutgers or Pitt. Take the under in all circumstances.
Alma Mater Update-- another game where the Orange looked great in stretches and head-scratching in others. Another game that looked like a potential blowout but wound up being a one-possession nailbiter. For a team that's ranked #2 in the nation, the Orange haven't had back to back double digit wins since mid-January... and while that's largely a byproduct of a tough Big East schedule, it's not reassuring when you're looking for a Tournament team on a roll. A number one seed is all but assured-- the 2010 team lost its regular season finale and Big East Quarterfinal game and stayed a #1-- West Virginia and UConn appear to be the dangerous first opponent in Madison Square Garden. Double down on the Sign of the Whale Wings-- it's going to be a bumpy ride.
Maryland (16-12, 6-8) had their dreams of a .500 ACC season take a major hit with a 63-61 loss at Georgia Tech. While the second half fade wasn't as bad as it was the previous weekend in Charlottesville... shooting 7 for 30 is no way to win -- even against a Yellowjacket team that scored 37 points against Clemson the previous week. It isn't helpful when you rank 324th in assists and point guard PeShon Howard's done for the year. Can they upset North Carolina in Chapel Hill and stun Virginia to wrap up the season? Reality says a split is the best case scenario and a #8 seed in the ACCs-- with Virginia Tech or Wake Forest the likely first round opponent.
Cruising the Commonwealth-- Two chances to put the dominion on the map... two tough losses for Virginia and Virginia Tech. The Cavaliers' 54-51 loss to North Carolina puts a winning league mark in doubt-- with Florida State coming to Charlottesville and a trip to College Park wrapping up the regular season. Still- ESPN and CBS have the Cavaliers as a #8 seed in the NCAAs. In Mike Scott we trust. The Hokies' 70-65 overtime loss to Duke was the perfect snapshot of a disappointing season: 12 of Virginia Tech's 14 league games have been decided by five points or less, and unfortunately VT is 4-8 in those games.
George Mason (23-8, 14-4) moved itself off the at-large bubble with an 89-77 loss at VCU. The Patriots actually shot 53 percent from the field but 20 turnovers proved costly. As the #3 seed in the CAA coach Paul Hewitt's team will play the winner of Georgia State and Hofstra in the quarterfinals. They beat Georgia State by 3 at home and swept Hofstra (10 point win at home, 5 point win away). Even if they beat VCU in the semifinals, it appears as though GMU needs to win the conference tournament to make the big dance.
George Washington (10-18, 5-9) inched closer to an Atlantic Ten tournament berth with a 56-51 win over Duquesne... David Pellom continuing his February frenzy with a third straight double-double (11 points and 10 rebounds). In order to lock up the #12 seed, the Colonials need a victory over 18 game winners LaSalle or Dayton... or the winner of Rhode Island-Fordham to lose their regular season finale. Backing in never seemed so good.
Maryland Womens' Window-- the Terps head to Greensboro and the ACC Tournament as the #3 seed thanks to a 65-50 thumping of North Carolina State. Alyssa Thomas takes first team all ACC honors... Tianna Hawkins is named second team while Laurin Mincy and Lynetta Kizer receive honorable mention. They'll face #6 Virginia or 11th seed Boston College in Friday's Quarterfinals-- with a couple of keys in order to be successful this weekend: 1-Hawkins and Alicia DeVaughn need to stay out of foul trouble... the Terrapin bigs can't be productive on the pine-- and the seven player rotation is easily exposed when they are. 2-possessions must be productive... the offense can't be turning the ball over or taking bad shots against the ACC's elite. That might fly against BC or Virginia, but not against Miami or Duke.
American (19-10, 10-4) wrapped up the regular season with a 76-69 win over Lafayette. A nice bounceback game from Charles Hinkle (25 points after being held to 3 by Bucknell) secures the #3 seed and a Patriot League Quarterfinal meeting with Army. The Eagles swept the Black Knights, taking the most recent meeting 74-50 at West Point (shooting 60% from the field).
Howard (9-20, 6-10) saw their regular season wrap up with a 63-46 loss at Delaware State... a rough offensive effort where the Bison hit 33% of their shots and 1-of-12 three pointers while turning the ball over 16 times. Pending Florida A&M's final game, the Bison enter next week's MEAC Tournament as either the 9th or 10th seed. While a first round win wouldn't be out of the question, competing with #1 Savannah State or 2nd seed Norfolk State (both 20 game winners this winter) appears to be a much taller task.
#11 Georgetown (22-6, 12-5) solidified its status as a #3 seed in both CBS and ESPN's bracket models... although a loss at #8 Marquette plus a quick exit from the Big East Tournament may pull them back one line. The Hoyas' 59-41 thumping of Notre Dame was the team's sixth Big East win where they held their opponent in the 40's... and Coach John Thompson III's team also held Rutgers to 50. If they can keep the defensive intensity... this is a team that will be very dangerous in the coming weeks. Likely Big East Seed: after a loss at Marquette and a Notre Dame victory over Providence... the Hoyas are a #4... with potential quarterfinal opponents ranging from South Florida to Louisville-- or if there's an upset; Rutgers or Pitt. Take the under in all circumstances.
Alma Mater Update-- another game where the Orange looked great in stretches and head-scratching in others. Another game that looked like a potential blowout but wound up being a one-possession nailbiter. For a team that's ranked #2 in the nation, the Orange haven't had back to back double digit wins since mid-January... and while that's largely a byproduct of a tough Big East schedule, it's not reassuring when you're looking for a Tournament team on a roll. A number one seed is all but assured-- the 2010 team lost its regular season finale and Big East Quarterfinal game and stayed a #1-- West Virginia and UConn appear to be the dangerous first opponent in Madison Square Garden. Double down on the Sign of the Whale Wings-- it's going to be a bumpy ride.
Maryland (16-12, 6-8) had their dreams of a .500 ACC season take a major hit with a 63-61 loss at Georgia Tech. While the second half fade wasn't as bad as it was the previous weekend in Charlottesville... shooting 7 for 30 is no way to win -- even against a Yellowjacket team that scored 37 points against Clemson the previous week. It isn't helpful when you rank 324th in assists and point guard PeShon Howard's done for the year. Can they upset North Carolina in Chapel Hill and stun Virginia to wrap up the season? Reality says a split is the best case scenario and a #8 seed in the ACCs-- with Virginia Tech or Wake Forest the likely first round opponent.
Cruising the Commonwealth-- Two chances to put the dominion on the map... two tough losses for Virginia and Virginia Tech. The Cavaliers' 54-51 loss to North Carolina puts a winning league mark in doubt-- with Florida State coming to Charlottesville and a trip to College Park wrapping up the regular season. Still- ESPN and CBS have the Cavaliers as a #8 seed in the NCAAs. In Mike Scott we trust. The Hokies' 70-65 overtime loss to Duke was the perfect snapshot of a disappointing season: 12 of Virginia Tech's 14 league games have been decided by five points or less, and unfortunately VT is 4-8 in those games.
George Mason (23-8, 14-4) moved itself off the at-large bubble with an 89-77 loss at VCU. The Patriots actually shot 53 percent from the field but 20 turnovers proved costly. As the #3 seed in the CAA coach Paul Hewitt's team will play the winner of Georgia State and Hofstra in the quarterfinals. They beat Georgia State by 3 at home and swept Hofstra (10 point win at home, 5 point win away). Even if they beat VCU in the semifinals, it appears as though GMU needs to win the conference tournament to make the big dance.
George Washington (10-18, 5-9) inched closer to an Atlantic Ten tournament berth with a 56-51 win over Duquesne... David Pellom continuing his February frenzy with a third straight double-double (11 points and 10 rebounds). In order to lock up the #12 seed, the Colonials need a victory over 18 game winners LaSalle or Dayton... or the winner of Rhode Island-Fordham to lose their regular season finale. Backing in never seemed so good.
Maryland Womens' Window-- the Terps head to Greensboro and the ACC Tournament as the #3 seed thanks to a 65-50 thumping of North Carolina State. Alyssa Thomas takes first team all ACC honors... Tianna Hawkins is named second team while Laurin Mincy and Lynetta Kizer receive honorable mention. They'll face #6 Virginia or 11th seed Boston College in Friday's Quarterfinals-- with a couple of keys in order to be successful this weekend: 1-Hawkins and Alicia DeVaughn need to stay out of foul trouble... the Terrapin bigs can't be productive on the pine-- and the seven player rotation is easily exposed when they are. 2-possessions must be productive... the offense can't be turning the ball over or taking bad shots against the ACC's elite. That might fly against BC or Virginia, but not against Miami or Duke.
American (19-10, 10-4) wrapped up the regular season with a 76-69 win over Lafayette. A nice bounceback game from Charles Hinkle (25 points after being held to 3 by Bucknell) secures the #3 seed and a Patriot League Quarterfinal meeting with Army. The Eagles swept the Black Knights, taking the most recent meeting 74-50 at West Point (shooting 60% from the field).
Howard (9-20, 6-10) saw their regular season wrap up with a 63-46 loss at Delaware State... a rough offensive effort where the Bison hit 33% of their shots and 1-of-12 three pointers while turning the ball over 16 times. Pending Florida A&M's final game, the Bison enter next week's MEAC Tournament as either the 9th or 10th seed. While a first round win wouldn't be out of the question, competing with #1 Savannah State or 2nd seed Norfolk State (both 20 game winners this winter) appears to be a much taller task.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Beltway Basketball Bonanza-- Shakeup in the Standings...
The final weeks of college basketball's regular season mean a handful of things... but most importantly the arrival of the Shamrock Shake. McDonald's minty green goodness is here for a limited time-- and isn't available at all locations. You pick your sports correctly, and you've got yourself a winning month (or longer). You make the wrong move-- and find yourself shaking your head going home shakeless. Somewhere there's a parallel between a peppermint milkshake and the local college basketball scene, right?
Georgetown was ambushed by an incredible shooting display Tuesday... as Seton Hall senior Jordan Theodore torched the Hoyas for 29 points on 8 of 11 shooting (5-5 from three point range). Cause for concern: while one player can go off every so often, the entire Pirate team hit 61% from the field. The The Hoyas face a difficult final week with games against #20 Notre Dame and #10 Marquette.
Alma Mater Update-- the Orange remain atop the Big East and at 28-1 are off to the best start in school history. While SU owns an eight game winning streak, each game has felt like somewhat of a struggle-- the most recent a 56-48 win over South Florida (before ACC aficionados rail about the sloppy play, lets talk about how more than one of their games has finished in the 40's this winter). So I continue to watch and buy into this team and wonder when or if the other shoe will drop. Sadly it often does... whether it's Rhode Island in 1988... Villanova in the 1991 Big East quarters, or Georgetown in 2000 and 2009... things often end in the most harrowing manner. Regardless, I'm off to enjoy a 44- Wing Salute at Sign of the Whale with the usual cast of characters in place.
Maryland owns the tiebreaker with Clemson for 7th in the ACC after its most impressive win of the season-- a 75-70 come from behind victory over Miami was a nice bounce-back from their 71-44 loss at Virginia. Life without Pe'Shon Howard continues with natural shooting guard Terrell Stoglin and freshman Nick Faust sharing point guard responsibilities... and while nobody will confuse the pair for Steve Blake, they managed things much better against the Hurricanes than against the Cavaliers. Can the Terps get to .500 in the ACC? They need to beat Georgia Tech (2-11 in conference play)... and then defeat either North Carolina (in Chapel Hill-- next) or Virginia (at Comcast...hmm...).
Cruising the Commonwealth-- Virginia has another chance at a statement game... will they be loud or silent against #7 North Carolina? The Cavaliers led the Tarheels in the secnod half before allowing a 22-6 run. Right now UVa has the #4 spot... meaning a first round bye is within their reach. Virginia Tech's 9th after their loss to Virginia... and how heartbreaking has this season been? Eleven of their thirteen ACC games have been decided by less than five points... and the Hokies going 4-7 instead of 7-4 removes any bubble talk.
George Mason-- well, the streak couldn't last forever. The Patriots fell 85-82 at Northeastern thanks to 21 turnovers and a less than stellar night by Ryan Pearson (after consecutive double doubles, the senior was held to 3 of 12 shooting by the Huskies). Saturday's game with VCU determines the Patriots' CAA seed-- win and they're #2... lose and they slip to 3rd. Did they bring Doc Nix down to Richmond?
George Washington tries to end a 1-7 slide when Duquesne drops by the Smith Center... a victory plus losses by Fordham and Rhode Island wrap up a berth in the Atlantic Ten tournament. Once again, GW is led by Tony Taylor and how the senior guard plays dictates how well the Colonials fare. The expanding middle class of the conference means the potential #5 seed could be just about anybody from UMass to Dayton-- as one game separates 3rd from 8th place.
Maryland Womens' Window-- right or wrong, North Carolina and Duke are the signature programs of the ACC. And beating both in the same week the way this team did remains huge. Fans at Comcast Center had a thriller in a 63-61 win over the Blue Devils-- thanks to Alyssa Thomas' game-sealing block as time expired--as the Terps rallied from 12 points down in the first half. Senior night saw a smackdown in the form of an 84-64 rout of the Tarheels... as the Terrapins jumped out to a 32-10 lead behind the play of Anjale Barrett, Lynetta Kizer and Kim Rodgers in their final regular season home game. Now the Terps have a tight turnaround on their hands with a Sunday visit to North Carolina State. A win or a Georgia Tech loss wraps up the #3 seed in the ACC Tournament.
American missed a chance to move into a tie for the Patriot League lead... falling 55-50 at home to Bucknell. Offensive rebounds hurt the Eagles-- as did just three points from Charles Hinkle. AU wraps up the #3 seed with a win over Lafayette in its regular season finale.
Howard has caught a little February fire-- defeating Maryland-Eastern Shore 53-51 Monday... the team's fifth win in seven games after winning four of its first 21. The Bison visit Delaware State Saturday-- a win keeps them in contention for 7th place in the MEAC while a loss could eventually slide them down to 11th.
Georgetown was ambushed by an incredible shooting display Tuesday... as Seton Hall senior Jordan Theodore torched the Hoyas for 29 points on 8 of 11 shooting (5-5 from three point range). Cause for concern: while one player can go off every so often, the entire Pirate team hit 61% from the field. The The Hoyas face a difficult final week with games against #20 Notre Dame and #10 Marquette.
Alma Mater Update-- the Orange remain atop the Big East and at 28-1 are off to the best start in school history. While SU owns an eight game winning streak, each game has felt like somewhat of a struggle-- the most recent a 56-48 win over South Florida (before ACC aficionados rail about the sloppy play, lets talk about how more than one of their games has finished in the 40's this winter). So I continue to watch and buy into this team and wonder when or if the other shoe will drop. Sadly it often does... whether it's Rhode Island in 1988... Villanova in the 1991 Big East quarters, or Georgetown in 2000 and 2009... things often end in the most harrowing manner. Regardless, I'm off to enjoy a 44- Wing Salute at Sign of the Whale with the usual cast of characters in place.
Maryland owns the tiebreaker with Clemson for 7th in the ACC after its most impressive win of the season-- a 75-70 come from behind victory over Miami was a nice bounce-back from their 71-44 loss at Virginia. Life without Pe'Shon Howard continues with natural shooting guard Terrell Stoglin and freshman Nick Faust sharing point guard responsibilities... and while nobody will confuse the pair for Steve Blake, they managed things much better against the Hurricanes than against the Cavaliers. Can the Terps get to .500 in the ACC? They need to beat Georgia Tech (2-11 in conference play)... and then defeat either North Carolina (in Chapel Hill-- next) or Virginia (at Comcast...hmm...).
Cruising the Commonwealth-- Virginia has another chance at a statement game... will they be loud or silent against #7 North Carolina? The Cavaliers led the Tarheels in the secnod half before allowing a 22-6 run. Right now UVa has the #4 spot... meaning a first round bye is within their reach. Virginia Tech's 9th after their loss to Virginia... and how heartbreaking has this season been? Eleven of their thirteen ACC games have been decided by less than five points... and the Hokies going 4-7 instead of 7-4 removes any bubble talk.
George Mason-- well, the streak couldn't last forever. The Patriots fell 85-82 at Northeastern thanks to 21 turnovers and a less than stellar night by Ryan Pearson (after consecutive double doubles, the senior was held to 3 of 12 shooting by the Huskies). Saturday's game with VCU determines the Patriots' CAA seed-- win and they're #2... lose and they slip to 3rd. Did they bring Doc Nix down to Richmond?
George Washington tries to end a 1-7 slide when Duquesne drops by the Smith Center... a victory plus losses by Fordham and Rhode Island wrap up a berth in the Atlantic Ten tournament. Once again, GW is led by Tony Taylor and how the senior guard plays dictates how well the Colonials fare. The expanding middle class of the conference means the potential #5 seed could be just about anybody from UMass to Dayton-- as one game separates 3rd from 8th place.
Maryland Womens' Window-- right or wrong, North Carolina and Duke are the signature programs of the ACC. And beating both in the same week the way this team did remains huge. Fans at Comcast Center had a thriller in a 63-61 win over the Blue Devils-- thanks to Alyssa Thomas' game-sealing block as time expired--as the Terps rallied from 12 points down in the first half. Senior night saw a smackdown in the form of an 84-64 rout of the Tarheels... as the Terrapins jumped out to a 32-10 lead behind the play of Anjale Barrett, Lynetta Kizer and Kim Rodgers in their final regular season home game. Now the Terps have a tight turnaround on their hands with a Sunday visit to North Carolina State. A win or a Georgia Tech loss wraps up the #3 seed in the ACC Tournament.
American missed a chance to move into a tie for the Patriot League lead... falling 55-50 at home to Bucknell. Offensive rebounds hurt the Eagles-- as did just three points from Charles Hinkle. AU wraps up the #3 seed with a win over Lafayette in its regular season finale.
Howard has caught a little February fire-- defeating Maryland-Eastern Shore 53-51 Monday... the team's fifth win in seven games after winning four of its first 21. The Bison visit Delaware State Saturday-- a win keeps them in contention for 7th place in the MEAC while a loss could eventually slide them down to 11th.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Presidential Priorities...
Happy Presidents' Day Weekend! Although it does kind of feel claustrophobic and a little unfair. Just one holiday for 43 people? For accounting purposes I'm counting Cleveland once-- although Taft is often counted twice due to excessive weight. How do you breach the subject with the really good ones? It's like lettering in track-- only to realize that everybody who put on a uniform got the same honor... regardless of performance or attendance. "Lincoln-- you freed the slaves and kept the nation together... you get 2.36% of today." Did Benjamin Harrison have the same impact as George Washington? Does James Buchanan merit equal billing with Franklin Roosevelt? A nation that celebrates excellence but lumps disastrous terms with nation-saving leadership is one that's lost its way.
Solution: create an official Presidents' Day Weekend. Let's be honest- most take off Friday anyways... and separating the wheat from the chaff not only acknowledges greatness... but also gives "the other guys" a half-day in the spotlight Friday. Honoring ten "Super Presidents" on Monday then gives those who deserve a whole day their due. But how do we determine a "Super President"?
1-- like stamps... they have to be deceased (sorry Bill)...
2-- Mount Rushmore-- if you are chiseled into the side of a hill-- you qualify. Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt-- welcome to the club.
3-- Currency is consideration, but no slam-dunk. So just because Grant is on the $50, doesn't mean he's in (far from it). FDR, Wilson and Jackson make the cut though.
4-- Veterans Committee-- alternating underrated chief executives from the 19th and 20th centuries for a "special spot". Example: Polk this year, Truman next year, Cleveland in 2014, Eisenhower in 2015. You get the idea.
5-- Partisan Picks-- in throwing a bone to both parties...Reagan and Kennedy make the list. Makes sense: Republicans are still looking for the next Reagan and Democrats are still searching for the next JFK.
So enjoy the holiday weekend... and celebrate the mediocre with the great. Because often it's the Hoovers that make the FDRs necessary.
Solution: create an official Presidents' Day Weekend. Let's be honest- most take off Friday anyways... and separating the wheat from the chaff not only acknowledges greatness... but also gives "the other guys" a half-day in the spotlight Friday. Honoring ten "Super Presidents" on Monday then gives those who deserve a whole day their due. But how do we determine a "Super President"?
1-- like stamps... they have to be deceased (sorry Bill)...
2-- Mount Rushmore-- if you are chiseled into the side of a hill-- you qualify. Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt-- welcome to the club.
3-- Currency is consideration, but no slam-dunk. So just because Grant is on the $50, doesn't mean he's in (far from it). FDR, Wilson and Jackson make the cut though.
4-- Veterans Committee-- alternating underrated chief executives from the 19th and 20th centuries for a "special spot". Example: Polk this year, Truman next year, Cleveland in 2014, Eisenhower in 2015. You get the idea.
5-- Partisan Picks-- in throwing a bone to both parties...Reagan and Kennedy make the list. Makes sense: Republicans are still looking for the next Reagan and Democrats are still searching for the next JFK.
So enjoy the holiday weekend... and celebrate the mediocre with the great. Because often it's the Hoovers that make the FDRs necessary.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Beltway Basketball Bonanza-- Hearts will never be practical...
Happy Valentine's Day... a celebration of love and hopes and dreams that every so often ends in a less than awesome manner. A day where a line is drawn in the sand between couples and singles. A day where what ifs become never weres. As the Wizard told the Tin Man, "Hearts will never be practical until they can be made unbreakable." Over the next few weeks, plenty of hearts (and bubbles) will be broken as the line between finding an NCAA Tournament partner and being single in the NIT (or worse) will be drawn... with a few still hoping for that one big thing.
Georgetown (19-5, 9-4) bounced back from a tough overtime loss at Syracuse by gutting out another matinee victory over a Big East Bruiser. The 71-61 win over St. John's saw a nice buffet effort from Nate Lubick: 7 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocks. The Hoyas owned the glass again...and shot 61% in the second half. The team's ability to generate half-court opportunities-- like they did in rallying to tie #2 Syracuse at the end of regulation-- bode well for March. Call their chocolate box more than half-full.
Alma Mater Update-- before I get into the latest pair of cardiac conclusions... let me set the record straight: bad weather and traffic prevented me from going to The Sign of the Whale for the Syracuse-Georgetown game last week. I am not a turncoat nor Benedict Arnold nor Brutus nor Nina from 24. But let me also say that the BLAZING HOT WINGS at the Greene Turtle are beyond napalmish. The key is knocking back two or three to get your mouth accustomed to the fury-- and loading up with bleu cheese dressing. That said, the Orange are fortunate to have held on in overtime against Georgetown and in regulation against Louisville (let the record show that Rick Pitino's white suits are a tonsorial turnover in and of themselves). And like true love, its tough to view this team objectively. Kris Joseph scores 29 against the Hoyas and only 7 against the Cardinals. The defense gives up way too many offensive boards. Halfcourt can be a nightmare. But they can turn you over like nobody else (4th in the nation in steals) and nobody runs the lanes better than this oh-so-deep Orange squad. So this chocolate box is all filled with really cool flavors (coconut, tangerine, cherry, walnut).
Favorite Couples I-- nobody lives in a vacuum. And our perception of life and love is built upon what we've grown up watching. The first couple I openly rooted for was Han Solo and Princess Leia-- their bickering during Star Wars injected spice into a dry script, and their fatalistic get-together in Empire provided one of the best exchanges EVER ("I love you"-"I know). Sadly, there had to be a Return of the Jedi where their relationship was reduced to she mopes, he mopes... and even the rehashing of the money line. Lesson learned? Sometimes it's cool to call it a day after the carbon freezing.
Maryland (14-10, 4-6) isn't in the class of North Carolina or Duke-- although coach Mark Turgeon's team can stay with the Tar Heels and Blue Devils for stretches, they just don't have the talent or depth to go toe to toe for 40 minutes. And that talent and depth goes from half full to half empty with guard Pe'Shon Howard's torn ACL. The Terrapin point guard wasn't a stats dynamo but was essential to the team's ACC success-- he logged 30 minutes or more in all but one of the team's conference games. Howard's loss means more minutes for Nick Faust and Mychal Parker-- and the duo combined for almost half of the Terps' points in the 73-55 loss at Duke. Unfortunately three-point shooting (1-14) and rebounding issues (outboarded 48-33 by the Blue Devils) reared their ugly heads as well. Now with six games remaining the Terps have just two matchups against teams with losing ACC records: Boston College and Georgia Tech are a combined 5-16 in league play. Other than that? Trips to #5 North Carolina and #22 Virginia plus home games against the Cavaliers and surprising Miami. Chocolate Box Status-- loaded with flavors you're not digging, but you'll eat them anyway.
Cruising the Commonwealth-- Yes, Virginia... there is a second half. The Cavaliers led North Carolina by 3-- IN CHAPEL HILL-- before the Tar Heels went on a 22-5 run that spelled the Cavaliers' 64 loss in 70 tries at UNC. Mike Scott scored 18 points... but the rest of the team shot 11 of 38. Revenge may be a dish served early and often over the next few weeks... as UVa plays three teams they've already lost to this winter-- UNC, Florida State and Virginia Tech. Hopefully the Cavs and Hokies will each score more than 47 points in the rematch. Virginia Tech's chocolate box was accidentally dropped in the early ACC season (with 5 losses by 5 points or less)...and then stepped on with double digit losses to Duke and Miami. Three games against ranked opponents in the next two weeks could revive a run to the NIT (at 14-11, it's time to be honest Hokie fans) or bury this bunch. When does spring football start?
Favorite Couples II-- "Dallas" was a family saga filled with conflict between old cattle and new oil as well as good brother Bobby against evil brother JR. One casualty of the show was the marriage of Bobby and Pam... a couple that if you watched the show you enjoyed their affection for one another amidst a landscape of dysfunctional pairings- from JR and Sue Ellen to Mitch and Lucy. The whole original premise of the show was how a Ewing married a Barnes and there was no way they'd last. Even after scheming from seemingly every character over four plus seasons tore them apart... you couldn't help but root for the duo. Mark Graison? Jenna Wade? We recognized the real deal and it was Bobby and Pam. They finally got back together much to our delight. Until Katherine Wentworth ran Bobby over with her car (yes, in my mind Dallas ended that day. NO DREAM SEASON). Lesson learned-- if you're not in a car, get off the damn driveway!
George Mason (21-6, 13-2)-- get ready for two games over two weeks (with maybe a third in the CAA Tournament) with VCU that should be incredible. While the case could be made that they're playing for second place (neither has been able to defeat Drexel this season)... the late season home and home will feature two solid teams in the at-large discussion with outstanding forwards: Ryan Pearson (18ppg, 9rpg, 37% from 3) has placed the Patriots on his back on more than one occasion while Bradford Burgess after a midseason slump (6 of 7 games scoring in single digits) appears to have picked up steam (46 points and 11 of 20 from three point range over the last two games). Get to the Patriot Center early on Valentine's Day- one can only wonder what sort of love songs Doc Nix and the Green Machine will be belting out. Chocolate Box- filled with awesome candies you don't want to share.
George Washington (9-16, 4-7) -- the Colonials ended a five game slide by beating Richmond 69-67... as Dwayne Smith has come alive this month (three straight games in double figures after scoring in double figures three times in GW's first 22 games of the season). That's nice relief for Tony Taylor; being a point guard who's often the #1 option means you get double teamed, hacked and downright mugged with numbing regularity. The Colonials have a one and a half game lead for 12th place in the Atlantic Ten-- and of their five remaining regular season games have just one matchup against a school currently with a losing league record (Charlotte- a team they beat by 8 in Foggy Bottom last month). Chocolate Box???? A different kind of bubble-- you open this one and wind up with celery and carrots-- plus raisins (Nature's Candy?!?).
Maryland Womens' Window-- the Terps are a very good team. They rallied against a tough Georgia Tech squad in Atlanta to complete a season sweep of the Yellowjackets. They blasted a subpar Clemson team on the road (Clemson on the road is never easy; just getting there is a logistical nightmare). But Sunday the Terrapins turned the ball over 21 times against #6 Miami- and missed 10 free throws in a 76-74 loss to the Hurricanes. Maryland remains #8 in the newest polls... and has three tough games ahead with a trip to Virginia plus home tilts against Duke and North Carolina. The margin between very good and great is minor... the margin between great and phenomenally incredible is even smaller. This team is close. Two keys down the stretch will be the play of Laurin Mincy and Anjale Barrett.
Favorite Couples III-- Sam and Diane. Who didn't like "Cheers"? I gravitated towards the show during its first season when Carla convinced a drunk Diane that Sam fathered one of her kids. I was hooked when Diane told Sam she'd never believe anything he said and Sam responded "then I think I'm falling in love with you". I recognized the chemistry the two had-- despite being so wrong for one another they were so right. Sam telling Diane "I think you're neat"-- when prompted why he liked her. Their combustible relationship leading to despair in season three (Sam back on the bottle, Diane in an assylum). More than one almost reconciliation... and their near-marriage followed by Sam saying "Have a Good Life". Lesson Learned-- do not pick up recently dumped English Lit Teaching Assistants in Boston bars. Don't even offer them "employment".
American (16-9, 7-3) saw its midseason momentum take a break with a 59-52 loss at Holy Cross; shooting 32% while being outrebounded by ten dooming the Eagles. While Charles Hinkle is able to score even when not shooting well... Troy Brewer has had troubles being a solid second option lately-- take away the game against Lehigh and the senior is on a 7 for 28 shooting slump in his last four games. AU closes the regular season with games against Navy and Army before battling Patriot League leading Bucknell; the Eagles' regular season finale against Lafayette could be for second place and home court for two rounds in the conference tournament. Chocolate Box-- a mixed bag. Be wary of what you choose-- and no "taking one bite but then placing back in the box!"
Howard (7-19, 4-9) fell at home Monday night to Bethune-Cookman 73-67... before the defeat the Bison took three of their previous four games. Two of their three remaining regular season games are against the MEAC's upper echelon, so another double digit conference loss season appears likely. One wonders about the future-- as senior Greg Andrews is the only player averaging more than 10 points a game on this roster. Hopefully Kevin Nickelberry's second true recruiting class will pay dividends. Chocolate Box--return to sender.
Danny Departs-- breaking up is definitely hard to do. Maryland football loses its face-- as junior Danny O'Brien transfers after a difficult 2011 season. The 2010 ACC Rookie of the Year lost his starting job last fall-- and then broke his upper arm against Notre Dame. When did a future so bright suddenly have an expiration date? I look at the West Virginia game-- he threw a pick-six and a fourth quarter INT in the red zone. For the first time since he came to College Park, Danny could look at a game and say "I LOST THIS ONE". Confidence is a tricky thing for anyone of any age, let alone a college student trying to succeed in a new offensive system (after learning the old one for basically two and a half years). The nightmare 2-10 season saw injury added to insult when he broke his arm. I wish the classy kid well-- and know he'll be successful down the road in whatever he decides to do.
Favorite Couples IV-- "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" features Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet playing doomed couple Joel and Clementine. They break up badly (to paraphrase Bryan Brown from "Cocktail": everything ends badly... otherwise it wouldn't end) and she decides to erase her memories of the affair. He finds out and wants to do the same... but halfway through the process realizes that amidst all the madness and hurt there are actually really good memories he wants to hang onto. He tucks away one. They meet again-- and then learn they each erased the other. Do they start again on a similar road that probably ends the way the previous one did? She tells him she'll get bored of him and feel trapped while he'll find things he doesn't like about here. He replies "Okay". Lesson Learned-- I forget... but it has to be something important.
Georgetown (19-5, 9-4) bounced back from a tough overtime loss at Syracuse by gutting out another matinee victory over a Big East Bruiser. The 71-61 win over St. John's saw a nice buffet effort from Nate Lubick: 7 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocks. The Hoyas owned the glass again...and shot 61% in the second half. The team's ability to generate half-court opportunities-- like they did in rallying to tie #2 Syracuse at the end of regulation-- bode well for March. Call their chocolate box more than half-full.
Alma Mater Update-- before I get into the latest pair of cardiac conclusions... let me set the record straight: bad weather and traffic prevented me from going to The Sign of the Whale for the Syracuse-Georgetown game last week. I am not a turncoat nor Benedict Arnold nor Brutus nor Nina from 24. But let me also say that the BLAZING HOT WINGS at the Greene Turtle are beyond napalmish. The key is knocking back two or three to get your mouth accustomed to the fury-- and loading up with bleu cheese dressing. That said, the Orange are fortunate to have held on in overtime against Georgetown and in regulation against Louisville (let the record show that Rick Pitino's white suits are a tonsorial turnover in and of themselves). And like true love, its tough to view this team objectively. Kris Joseph scores 29 against the Hoyas and only 7 against the Cardinals. The defense gives up way too many offensive boards. Halfcourt can be a nightmare. But they can turn you over like nobody else (4th in the nation in steals) and nobody runs the lanes better than this oh-so-deep Orange squad. So this chocolate box is all filled with really cool flavors (coconut, tangerine, cherry, walnut).
Favorite Couples I-- nobody lives in a vacuum. And our perception of life and love is built upon what we've grown up watching. The first couple I openly rooted for was Han Solo and Princess Leia-- their bickering during Star Wars injected spice into a dry script, and their fatalistic get-together in Empire provided one of the best exchanges EVER ("I love you"-"I know). Sadly, there had to be a Return of the Jedi where their relationship was reduced to she mopes, he mopes... and even the rehashing of the money line. Lesson learned? Sometimes it's cool to call it a day after the carbon freezing.
Maryland (14-10, 4-6) isn't in the class of North Carolina or Duke-- although coach Mark Turgeon's team can stay with the Tar Heels and Blue Devils for stretches, they just don't have the talent or depth to go toe to toe for 40 minutes. And that talent and depth goes from half full to half empty with guard Pe'Shon Howard's torn ACL. The Terrapin point guard wasn't a stats dynamo but was essential to the team's ACC success-- he logged 30 minutes or more in all but one of the team's conference games. Howard's loss means more minutes for Nick Faust and Mychal Parker-- and the duo combined for almost half of the Terps' points in the 73-55 loss at Duke. Unfortunately three-point shooting (1-14) and rebounding issues (outboarded 48-33 by the Blue Devils) reared their ugly heads as well. Now with six games remaining the Terps have just two matchups against teams with losing ACC records: Boston College and Georgia Tech are a combined 5-16 in league play. Other than that? Trips to #5 North Carolina and #22 Virginia plus home games against the Cavaliers and surprising Miami. Chocolate Box Status-- loaded with flavors you're not digging, but you'll eat them anyway.
Cruising the Commonwealth-- Yes, Virginia... there is a second half. The Cavaliers led North Carolina by 3-- IN CHAPEL HILL-- before the Tar Heels went on a 22-5 run that spelled the Cavaliers' 64 loss in 70 tries at UNC. Mike Scott scored 18 points... but the rest of the team shot 11 of 38. Revenge may be a dish served early and often over the next few weeks... as UVa plays three teams they've already lost to this winter-- UNC, Florida State and Virginia Tech. Hopefully the Cavs and Hokies will each score more than 47 points in the rematch. Virginia Tech's chocolate box was accidentally dropped in the early ACC season (with 5 losses by 5 points or less)...and then stepped on with double digit losses to Duke and Miami. Three games against ranked opponents in the next two weeks could revive a run to the NIT (at 14-11, it's time to be honest Hokie fans) or bury this bunch. When does spring football start?
Favorite Couples II-- "Dallas" was a family saga filled with conflict between old cattle and new oil as well as good brother Bobby against evil brother JR. One casualty of the show was the marriage of Bobby and Pam... a couple that if you watched the show you enjoyed their affection for one another amidst a landscape of dysfunctional pairings- from JR and Sue Ellen to Mitch and Lucy. The whole original premise of the show was how a Ewing married a Barnes and there was no way they'd last. Even after scheming from seemingly every character over four plus seasons tore them apart... you couldn't help but root for the duo. Mark Graison? Jenna Wade? We recognized the real deal and it was Bobby and Pam. They finally got back together much to our delight. Until Katherine Wentworth ran Bobby over with her car (yes, in my mind Dallas ended that day. NO DREAM SEASON). Lesson learned-- if you're not in a car, get off the damn driveway!
George Mason (21-6, 13-2)-- get ready for two games over two weeks (with maybe a third in the CAA Tournament) with VCU that should be incredible. While the case could be made that they're playing for second place (neither has been able to defeat Drexel this season)... the late season home and home will feature two solid teams in the at-large discussion with outstanding forwards: Ryan Pearson (18ppg, 9rpg, 37% from 3) has placed the Patriots on his back on more than one occasion while Bradford Burgess after a midseason slump (6 of 7 games scoring in single digits) appears to have picked up steam (46 points and 11 of 20 from three point range over the last two games). Get to the Patriot Center early on Valentine's Day- one can only wonder what sort of love songs Doc Nix and the Green Machine will be belting out. Chocolate Box- filled with awesome candies you don't want to share.
George Washington (9-16, 4-7) -- the Colonials ended a five game slide by beating Richmond 69-67... as Dwayne Smith has come alive this month (three straight games in double figures after scoring in double figures three times in GW's first 22 games of the season). That's nice relief for Tony Taylor; being a point guard who's often the #1 option means you get double teamed, hacked and downright mugged with numbing regularity. The Colonials have a one and a half game lead for 12th place in the Atlantic Ten-- and of their five remaining regular season games have just one matchup against a school currently with a losing league record (Charlotte- a team they beat by 8 in Foggy Bottom last month). Chocolate Box???? A different kind of bubble-- you open this one and wind up with celery and carrots-- plus raisins (Nature's Candy?!?).
Maryland Womens' Window-- the Terps are a very good team. They rallied against a tough Georgia Tech squad in Atlanta to complete a season sweep of the Yellowjackets. They blasted a subpar Clemson team on the road (Clemson on the road is never easy; just getting there is a logistical nightmare). But Sunday the Terrapins turned the ball over 21 times against #6 Miami- and missed 10 free throws in a 76-74 loss to the Hurricanes. Maryland remains #8 in the newest polls... and has three tough games ahead with a trip to Virginia plus home tilts against Duke and North Carolina. The margin between very good and great is minor... the margin between great and phenomenally incredible is even smaller. This team is close. Two keys down the stretch will be the play of Laurin Mincy and Anjale Barrett.
Favorite Couples III-- Sam and Diane. Who didn't like "Cheers"? I gravitated towards the show during its first season when Carla convinced a drunk Diane that Sam fathered one of her kids. I was hooked when Diane told Sam she'd never believe anything he said and Sam responded "then I think I'm falling in love with you". I recognized the chemistry the two had-- despite being so wrong for one another they were so right. Sam telling Diane "I think you're neat"-- when prompted why he liked her. Their combustible relationship leading to despair in season three (Sam back on the bottle, Diane in an assylum). More than one almost reconciliation... and their near-marriage followed by Sam saying "Have a Good Life". Lesson Learned-- do not pick up recently dumped English Lit Teaching Assistants in Boston bars. Don't even offer them "employment".
American (16-9, 7-3) saw its midseason momentum take a break with a 59-52 loss at Holy Cross; shooting 32% while being outrebounded by ten dooming the Eagles. While Charles Hinkle is able to score even when not shooting well... Troy Brewer has had troubles being a solid second option lately-- take away the game against Lehigh and the senior is on a 7 for 28 shooting slump in his last four games. AU closes the regular season with games against Navy and Army before battling Patriot League leading Bucknell; the Eagles' regular season finale against Lafayette could be for second place and home court for two rounds in the conference tournament. Chocolate Box-- a mixed bag. Be wary of what you choose-- and no "taking one bite but then placing back in the box!"
Howard (7-19, 4-9) fell at home Monday night to Bethune-Cookman 73-67... before the defeat the Bison took three of their previous four games. Two of their three remaining regular season games are against the MEAC's upper echelon, so another double digit conference loss season appears likely. One wonders about the future-- as senior Greg Andrews is the only player averaging more than 10 points a game on this roster. Hopefully Kevin Nickelberry's second true recruiting class will pay dividends. Chocolate Box--return to sender.
Danny Departs-- breaking up is definitely hard to do. Maryland football loses its face-- as junior Danny O'Brien transfers after a difficult 2011 season. The 2010 ACC Rookie of the Year lost his starting job last fall-- and then broke his upper arm against Notre Dame. When did a future so bright suddenly have an expiration date? I look at the West Virginia game-- he threw a pick-six and a fourth quarter INT in the red zone. For the first time since he came to College Park, Danny could look at a game and say "I LOST THIS ONE". Confidence is a tricky thing for anyone of any age, let alone a college student trying to succeed in a new offensive system (after learning the old one for basically two and a half years). The nightmare 2-10 season saw injury added to insult when he broke his arm. I wish the classy kid well-- and know he'll be successful down the road in whatever he decides to do.
Favorite Couples IV-- "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" features Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet playing doomed couple Joel and Clementine. They break up badly (to paraphrase Bryan Brown from "Cocktail": everything ends badly... otherwise it wouldn't end) and she decides to erase her memories of the affair. He finds out and wants to do the same... but halfway through the process realizes that amidst all the madness and hurt there are actually really good memories he wants to hang onto. He tucks away one. They meet again-- and then learn they each erased the other. Do they start again on a similar road that probably ends the way the previous one did? She tells him she'll get bored of him and feel trapped while he'll find things he doesn't like about here. He replies "Okay". Lesson Learned-- I forget... but it has to be something important.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Beltway Basketball Bonanza-- scoring ends at 40?
While college hoops heats up into "February Frenzy", aka "Moving Month", aka "Cliched Alliterative Phrase Here"... I've been wondering what has happened with the preponderance of 40-somethings. Now, I have more than a few friends in their forties... and I have no issue about reaching 40-- but when a Division I college basketball team from a major conference can't get to 50 points in the shot-clock era there's something wrong. I thought getting to 50 was like the SAT's-- sign your name... roll out the balls and get a half century. Maybe college basketball is converting to the ACT. Damn that test! Even the ACC isn't immune-- witness Virginia Tech's 47-45 win over Virginia a few Sunday's ago. I want to think "Doug Flutie to Gerald Phelan" when I hear 47-45, not "1 for 14 from three point range". The Big Ten had a 37-33 game recently-- and sadly with Nebraska in the league we could see more depressed scores (technically it would be a recession though).
Georgetown (18-4, 8-3) has held consecutive opponents to less than 50 points... limiting South Florida to 20% shooting in the first half (although the game began at 11am-- even the kids on HANG TIME! had issues shooting on Saturday mornings). The Hoyas have a nice 8-man rotation that features a rebounding bulldog in Otto Porter (four double digit efforts in league play)... a clutch shooter in Hollis Thompson (last second baskets his specialty) and a center who can pass (Henry Sims leads the team in assists). Lost in the shuffle may be Jason Clark- who leads the team in scoring and rebounds well for a guard. With this bunch they head to Syracuse to face the #2 team in the nation.
Alma Mater Update-- while the Orange have Fab Melo back and I answered more than a few "somebody finally weaved the basket for him" texts... many questions come about entering Wednesday's war with the hated Hoyas (not me-- I am super objective as always about everything... the exception being Ray Pruitt's singing). Can the vaunted 2-3 zone contain the Princeton Offense (I remember raining threes at Verizon a few years ago)? Will the Orange be able to run a semi-cognizant halfcourt offense (not the one featuring two passes, bad one on one moves and a last second off-balance jumper that misses)? And where will I watch the game? I've been enlisted as a helmsman in the SU Alumni Group of DC's gatherings at Sign of Whale. I even have my "Ishmael Card" for discounts (sadly, no such card actually exists. Major missing the boat there SOTW) and have tried to get the bar to put a "44 Wing Salute" on the menu. But this week a few friends (one of which has been named "Nice Guy of the Year" three times in the last decade) are organizing a gamewatching event down the street from where I live. No car. No metro. I've been asking both places to send bleu cheese dressing samples for comparison.
Maryland (13-8, 3-5) had a chance to upset then #5 North Carolina... and actually led the Tarheels by nine in the second half before foul trouble handcuffed coach Mark Turgeon's rotation... UNC started to own the offensive glass and Harrison Barnes knocked down enough long-range jumpers to bury the Terps 83-74. Lost in the loss was improved play by Nick Faust off the bench (taking the ball to the rim instead of shooting bad jumpers) as well as the fine effort from Alex Len (holding his own against fellow 7-footer Tyler Zeller) off the pine. Halfway through the ACC season, Terps fans are wondering if they can get to .500 in the conference; they can, but have little margin for error. Home games against Georgia Tech and Boston College have to be slam-dunks. They have to steal one away from Virginia (who lost at home to Va. Tech) and if they beat Clemson Tuesday night (Tigers are tied with the Terps at 3-5 in the league)... that would give them seven wins, meaning the eighth has to come from topping Duke in Cameron (stop laughing), UNC at Chapel Hill (please get back in your seat), sweeping Virginia (Kippy and Buffy aren't laughing for some reason) or topping a Miami team in College Park-- the same Hurricanes the Terps took to double overtime in the Sunshine State. But they have to begin with a Clemson team that torched #17 Florida State by 20 and was within 3 possessions in all 5 of their league losses. Maybe sweeping the Cavaliers may just be the way to go.
Cruising the Commonwealth-- Virginia lost a chance to move into the ACC's penthouse... instead the 58-55 loss at Florida State means the Cavaliers are in a three-way scrum for 4th place in the league with North Carolina State and Miami. The Seminoles defense of Mike Scott further underscored the fact that UVa needs another scorer-- Scott was held to 3 shots after halftime and every run was truncated by the fact their big gun wasn't firing. They'll need more than one gun for this Saturday's showdown with North Carolina. Virginia Tech got a season-saving win over Clemson and enters the second half with confidence that maybe they've turned the corner- but 2-6 is a tough ACC hole to climb out of.
George Mason (19-6, 11-2) bounced back from a tough loss at Delaware to defeat Old Dominion 54-50 (despite shooting 28% from the field)... moving into a tie for first place tie of the CAA. First year Patriots coach Paul Hewitt hopes February doesn't turn into a Ram... as Mason meets VCU twice over the regular season's last four games while Drexel watches from the wings.
George Washington (8-15, 3-6) are fighting for a spot in the Atlantic Ten tournament (only 12 of the 14 schools in the Atlantic 10 go-- irony aside) after a fourth straight loss... after close games that could have gone either way at Fordham and against Xavier the bottom dropped out in an 86-75 loss to UMass. And GW is done playing with bottom-feeders Fordham and Rhode Island: 5 of their 7 remaining A-10 foes have winning league records (but that have beaten Richmond and Charlotte- the two other schools).
Maryland Womens' Window-- after routing Boston College 86-44, the Terps struggled at Georgia Tech (a team they've always had trouble with)... before prevailing 64-56. The double-whammy of Tianna Hawkins (23 points and 9 rebounds) and Alyssa Thomas (23 points and 5 assists) set the tone for a team which remainder shot under 25% for the game. Terps took this one because they owned the glass-- outrebounding the Yellowjackets by 15... while holding GT to under 40% for the night. With six ACC games remaining Maryland's tied for third with North Carolina... two games behind Miami and three games behind league-leading Duke. The Terps play all three of these teams-- in College Park-- over the next three weeks. Get your popcorn.
American (15-8, 6-2) remains in the thick of the Patriot League race thanks to a Charles Hinkle three pointer with 33 seconds left that gave the Eagles a 59-58 win over Colgate. Unfortunately, Hinkle was the only AU player to score in double figures-- and while that might work against the 7th place Raiders... it might not be as effective against Bucknell and Lehigh (or even Lafayette). Good news for Eagle fans-- four of the remaining six regular season games are at Bender Arena. Bad news for Shamrock Shake fans-- my sources tell me the McDonald's next to the arena has been shut down... just before the minty green goodness makes its annual appearance near Nebraska Ave. For shame!
Howard (6-18, 3-8) after ending an eight game losing streak has all of a sudden taken two of three... the latest a 54-46 victory over Morgan State (sadly, even the MEAC isn't immune for scores in the 40's). Freshman Prince Okoroh scored 14 points for the Bison... who held the Bears to 30% shooting and held an 18 rebound advantage. With five games left, coach Kevin Nickelberry's team's already equalled last year's victory total.
Georgetown (18-4, 8-3) has held consecutive opponents to less than 50 points... limiting South Florida to 20% shooting in the first half (although the game began at 11am-- even the kids on HANG TIME! had issues shooting on Saturday mornings). The Hoyas have a nice 8-man rotation that features a rebounding bulldog in Otto Porter (four double digit efforts in league play)... a clutch shooter in Hollis Thompson (last second baskets his specialty) and a center who can pass (Henry Sims leads the team in assists). Lost in the shuffle may be Jason Clark- who leads the team in scoring and rebounds well for a guard. With this bunch they head to Syracuse to face the #2 team in the nation.
Alma Mater Update-- while the Orange have Fab Melo back and I answered more than a few "somebody finally weaved the basket for him" texts... many questions come about entering Wednesday's war with the hated Hoyas (not me-- I am super objective as always about everything... the exception being Ray Pruitt's singing). Can the vaunted 2-3 zone contain the Princeton Offense (I remember raining threes at Verizon a few years ago)? Will the Orange be able to run a semi-cognizant halfcourt offense (not the one featuring two passes, bad one on one moves and a last second off-balance jumper that misses)? And where will I watch the game? I've been enlisted as a helmsman in the SU Alumni Group of DC's gatherings at Sign of Whale. I even have my "Ishmael Card" for discounts (sadly, no such card actually exists. Major missing the boat there SOTW) and have tried to get the bar to put a "44 Wing Salute" on the menu. But this week a few friends (one of which has been named "Nice Guy of the Year" three times in the last decade) are organizing a gamewatching event down the street from where I live. No car. No metro. I've been asking both places to send bleu cheese dressing samples for comparison.
Maryland (13-8, 3-5) had a chance to upset then #5 North Carolina... and actually led the Tarheels by nine in the second half before foul trouble handcuffed coach Mark Turgeon's rotation... UNC started to own the offensive glass and Harrison Barnes knocked down enough long-range jumpers to bury the Terps 83-74. Lost in the loss was improved play by Nick Faust off the bench (taking the ball to the rim instead of shooting bad jumpers) as well as the fine effort from Alex Len (holding his own against fellow 7-footer Tyler Zeller) off the pine. Halfway through the ACC season, Terps fans are wondering if they can get to .500 in the conference; they can, but have little margin for error. Home games against Georgia Tech and Boston College have to be slam-dunks. They have to steal one away from Virginia (who lost at home to Va. Tech) and if they beat Clemson Tuesday night (Tigers are tied with the Terps at 3-5 in the league)... that would give them seven wins, meaning the eighth has to come from topping Duke in Cameron (stop laughing), UNC at Chapel Hill (please get back in your seat), sweeping Virginia (Kippy and Buffy aren't laughing for some reason) or topping a Miami team in College Park-- the same Hurricanes the Terps took to double overtime in the Sunshine State. But they have to begin with a Clemson team that torched #17 Florida State by 20 and was within 3 possessions in all 5 of their league losses. Maybe sweeping the Cavaliers may just be the way to go.
Cruising the Commonwealth-- Virginia lost a chance to move into the ACC's penthouse... instead the 58-55 loss at Florida State means the Cavaliers are in a three-way scrum for 4th place in the league with North Carolina State and Miami. The Seminoles defense of Mike Scott further underscored the fact that UVa needs another scorer-- Scott was held to 3 shots after halftime and every run was truncated by the fact their big gun wasn't firing. They'll need more than one gun for this Saturday's showdown with North Carolina. Virginia Tech got a season-saving win over Clemson and enters the second half with confidence that maybe they've turned the corner- but 2-6 is a tough ACC hole to climb out of.
George Mason (19-6, 11-2) bounced back from a tough loss at Delaware to defeat Old Dominion 54-50 (despite shooting 28% from the field)... moving into a tie for first place tie of the CAA. First year Patriots coach Paul Hewitt hopes February doesn't turn into a Ram... as Mason meets VCU twice over the regular season's last four games while Drexel watches from the wings.
George Washington (8-15, 3-6) are fighting for a spot in the Atlantic Ten tournament (only 12 of the 14 schools in the Atlantic 10 go-- irony aside) after a fourth straight loss... after close games that could have gone either way at Fordham and against Xavier the bottom dropped out in an 86-75 loss to UMass. And GW is done playing with bottom-feeders Fordham and Rhode Island: 5 of their 7 remaining A-10 foes have winning league records (but that have beaten Richmond and Charlotte- the two other schools).
Maryland Womens' Window-- after routing Boston College 86-44, the Terps struggled at Georgia Tech (a team they've always had trouble with)... before prevailing 64-56. The double-whammy of Tianna Hawkins (23 points and 9 rebounds) and Alyssa Thomas (23 points and 5 assists) set the tone for a team which remainder shot under 25% for the game. Terps took this one because they owned the glass-- outrebounding the Yellowjackets by 15... while holding GT to under 40% for the night. With six ACC games remaining Maryland's tied for third with North Carolina... two games behind Miami and three games behind league-leading Duke. The Terps play all three of these teams-- in College Park-- over the next three weeks. Get your popcorn.
American (15-8, 6-2) remains in the thick of the Patriot League race thanks to a Charles Hinkle three pointer with 33 seconds left that gave the Eagles a 59-58 win over Colgate. Unfortunately, Hinkle was the only AU player to score in double figures-- and while that might work against the 7th place Raiders... it might not be as effective against Bucknell and Lehigh (or even Lafayette). Good news for Eagle fans-- four of the remaining six regular season games are at Bender Arena. Bad news for Shamrock Shake fans-- my sources tell me the McDonald's next to the arena has been shut down... just before the minty green goodness makes its annual appearance near Nebraska Ave. For shame!
Howard (6-18, 3-8) after ending an eight game losing streak has all of a sudden taken two of three... the latest a 54-46 victory over Morgan State (sadly, even the MEAC isn't immune for scores in the 40's). Freshman Prince Okoroh scored 14 points for the Bison... who held the Bears to 30% shooting and held an 18 rebound advantage. With five games left, coach Kevin Nickelberry's team's already equalled last year's victory total.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
